Hello Linda, This is a great post that says what needs to be said. I guess it's got something to do with the make-up of people. Sometimes, even though they suspect that the ads are bogus, yet their need is so great, they want it to be true. Cuz they want to believe it's true, they try to convince others also. Somehow, they hope that the sheer number of people believing what they believe, will cause it to be true. I'm referring more to honest and sincere people who're looking for something that will work. Sometimes, it takes a long time to snap out of this delusion. And your post here may be just one of the things needed in order to help them. Cheers! Ricardo

I hear you, Linda. On the other hand, short of just being philanthropic, words are cheap for Art. Perhaps a charity foundation should be created. But you know what, it would take actual "honest" cash and that's not what happens here, for the most part. There's a few here, and we know who they are and are not.

Hi Linda, Your comments: ----------------------------------------------- So, here's my challenge. 1) If you are making SIGNIFICANT income, say over $1,000.00 per month - would you please go tell Art how you're doing it? http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/376117.aspx 2) If you are NOT making significant income and you are blasting out "make money" ads - do you have the guts to tell us why you're sending out misleading materials for programs that aren't making YOU any money?? I'd really like to understand, because I don't. I just don't. Maybe you can help. --------------------------------------------- together with Arthur Websters forum "What value are there in Unread Words" (did I quote that right?) are two of the healthiest sanest things I have read at Adland in a long time. If you two have your way - there will be no b*llsh*t left at Adland!! Saludos and keep 'em coming. Jennifer

Dear Dave, you hit the nail on the head when you used the term - 'effort' - and to consider making a living - yet alone a fortune without some financial commitment - even if just for some legitimate form of advertising however modest, is unrealistic. From my experience though people are lacking this one ingredient, and prefer to delude themselves into facing a computer screen and thinking it will create wealth automatically for them. It won't happen people! A few years back I produced a seminar called 'e-commerce - promise or performance?' This was based on my experiences when I was General Manager of JWT Direct in Australia. It would have been nice to think that things would have moved on to such a state that my critique at that time could have been changed. Regrettably the comments and content have merely been reinforced. At least here people are being exposed to reality and not fantasy - and that MUST be a good thing. All the best, Norm

Hi Norm; I'm glad to see some healthy conversation here! You said; ========== to consider making a living - yet alone a fortune without some financial commitment - even if just for some legitimate form of advertising however modest, is unrealistic. From my experience though people are lacking this one ingredient, and prefer to delude themselves into facing a computer screen and thinking it will create wealth automatically for them. It won't happen people! ========== Truth is, it IS possible to make money in front of a computer screen and without a financial commitment. I know- I did it. When I first got online, I was newly divorced. I had no money to commit to anything. I taught myself html and webdesign and then I knocked on doors. I went to businesses that would recognize me and told them why they needed a website - or a better website. Often, I brought print outs to show them how awful their website looked in "the other" browser. Zero advertising dollars. We're all saying the same thing... :) Ken's post, your post, Dave's post, my post, and many others... we're all saying the same thing. -- People have to LEARN an industry -- so we can COMPETE in that industry -- and BE CREDIBLE in that industry -- and expend the effort to BE VISIBLE in that industry Trust is the hardest thing to earn online for obvious reasons. Blasting out garbage via free or cheap ads does not inspire trust and only attracts people that are as naive and unskilled as the ad-blaster. And none of them make money. : ) Linda